My son was just like that. That's because he has a really good heart and practically considered everyone his friend as soon as he met them. My son who is now 11 yrs. old says for you to tell your son, to say hi and for him to introduce himself. And for him to ask the other kids if they would like to be friends! Simple but to the point! Mom, tell him he is doing fine and it'll get easier as the years go by. He sounds like a great kid!

Sorry, meant to say 7 y.o.

Thanks. I'll try that. b.t.w. He's 5 and in second grade.

Hello,
He's 7 and in second grade.
b.t.w. I used to live in Miami. What part of South Florida do you live in?

Lesliecg, your situation sounds like it's one where your daughter just doesn't know many kids in the area yet, whereas allformykids son tends to alienate the children he does meet. In both situations, I think involving children in somewhat "structured" activities instead of "free play" might be helpful....Joining things like Scouting, or sports/martial arts/gymnastics/swim teams, or arts & crafts clubs, where there is some adult supervision, along with an agenda of something to do, are good ways for kids to meet potential friends, because they'll share common interests.
There are also a couple of books that people have recommended, and even though one says it's for students with LDs, it's really good for all children who struggle to make and keep friends:

1. It's So Much Work to Be Your Friend: Helping the Child with Learning Disabilities Find Social Success by Richard Lavoie, Michele Reiner, Rob Reiner, and Mel Levine (Paperback - Oct 3, 2006)

2. Good Friends Are Hard to Find: Help Your Child Find, Make, and Keep Friends by Fred Frankel and Barry Wetmore (Paperback - Sep 1996)

How old is your son? It sounds like he's not yet in school. Does he have brothers and/or sisters?

Some kids do get very excited when they see other kids, so they try really hard to communicate, like your son. Maybe you can try "pretending" with him that your another child he'd like to play with. Coach him along to help him understand personal space, voice regulation, things like that. Have him come up to you and ask him to observe first what you're doing/playing with. Then ask him to say "Hi," and ask you if it's okay that he play with you. This is not the best scenario, since you're his parent, and of course you'd always say "yes," but have him slow down a bit and try different scenarios with him.

Hope this helps.

My daughter is 9 and just relocated to S. Florida. We desperately need to find friends for her. How old is your son?